FILE:  EE

Cf:  JGB, KG

 

CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

 

 

The Catahoula Parish School Board believes the school district should have a sound child nutrition program and that the child nutrition program should be an integral part of the total educational program.  The School Board also believes that the highest possible sanitation standards should be maintained and that every effort should be made to make it possible for every child to participate in the child nutrition program without regard to race, color, disability, national origin, sex, or age.

 

The Catahoula Parish School Board (CPSB) believes the Child Nutrition Program is an essential part in promoting student health and addressing issues related to childhood obesity and poor nutrition.  The School Board is dedicated to the overall well-being of the students of Catahoula Parish and believes that every child should have the opportunity to participate in the child nutrition program without regard to race, color, disability, national origin, sex, or age.  The School Board also believes that this effort should be endorsed and supported by all adults who serve as role models, stake-holders, community members, and parents who are committed to the health and wellness needs of our students.

 

GUIDELINES

 

The School Board shall administer a Food and Nutrition Program in accordance with federal and state standards and requirements.  The School Board, as the recognized child nutrition program authority for the school district, shall annually approve the national school lunch program, school breakfast program, U.S.D.A school commodity programs and any other related programs.  The approved agreement shall meet all specifications mandated by the Louisiana Department of Education's Division of Nutrition Support.

 

Guidelines of the Louisiana Sanitary Code shall be strictly followed in the preparation, serving, and cleaning of all child nutrition programs and facilities.

 

Each school shall abide by state and federal guideline restrictions on the operation of concessions, canteens, snack bars, vending machines or other food and beverage sales.

 

No supplies or foods, including leftovers, shall be removed from the child nutrition department by any employee of the school system unless he/she has been authorized to transfer the items to another school location.  Disciplinary action may result for unauthorized food removal.

 

  1. Operations - The School Board shall administer a Food and Nutrition Program in accordance with federal and state standards and requirements.  The School Board, as the recognized child nutrition program authority for the school district, shall annually approve the national school lunch program, school breakfast program, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) school commodity programs and any other related programs.  The approved agreement shall meet all specifications mandated by the Louisiana Department of Education's Division of Nutrition Support.}

  2. Sanitation - Guidelines of the Louisiana Sanitary Code shall be strictly followed in the preparation, serving, and cleaning of all child nutrition programs and facilities.  A Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point Plan (HACCP) has been implemented at every school kitchen along with continual food safety and sanitation training.

  3. Nutrition Standards - The Child Nutrition Program shall administer nutrition standards according to federal and state regulations.  All food and beverages served to students during the school day will meet the nutrition requirements and standards as set forth by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 and the USDA Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards and the Louisiana Smart Snacks Guidelines, at a minimum. (La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:197.1).  The school day is defined as 12:00 am (midnight) from the day before until thirty (30) minutes after the end of the official school day.

 

MEAL SERVICE

 

  1. Every student will have access to a school breakfast and school lunch in accordance with the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010.  All meals served in the district are high in quality and nutritionally balanced.  They meet the nutritional requirements for age-appropriate caloric needs, and limit fat and sodium.

  2. Participation in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) is optional.

  3. Class schedules, bus schedules, and other barriers shall not restrict meal access.

  4. All students will have access to school meals within the allotted time, and school shall provide sufficient serving areas for student meals.  The USDA recommends a minimum of thirty (30) minutes for a lunch period.  All students up to but not including grades 9-12 (high school) are required to eat lunch during meal times as set forth by each school principal.  Students not wanting to eat or purchase a lunch at school must bring a lunch from home.  It is highly encouraged that all lunches brought from home meet the Catahoula Parish School Board policy for Nutrition Standards for food and beverages.  The breakfast meal period should be scheduled at least one-half hour prior to the beginning of school bell time, with meal access and consumption time depending on the student’s arrival to school.  All students are highly encouraged to eat breakfast at school to ensure adequate preparation for the school day academic schedule.  The breakfast meal service procedure will be determined by the principal at the individual school sites.

  5. It is highly encouraged that all meals brought into the cafeteria comply with the Nutrition Standards for food and beverages.  Commercial fast foods, carbonated beverages, sports drinks, energy drinks and concentrated sweets are not allowed in the cafeteria dining areas.

  6. No supplies or foods, including leftovers, shall be removed from the cafeteria or school campus unless there has been an authorized transfer to another school location or school board site.

 

SPECIAL EVENTS

 

Special events should not interfere with the preparation and service of school lunch, breakfasts, or snacks.  School functions involving the use of the cafeteria shall be arranged through the principal and approved by the child nutrition supervisor.  Whenever the cafeteria is used by the school, one or more of the child nutrition employees shall be in charge to ensure control over child nutrition foods and to ensure proper use and care of equipment and facilities.  A Special Event form must be completed and sent to the supervisor of child nutrition at least two (2) weeks in advance of the event.  Events that occur at scheduled times during the school year can be handled by sending in one notice listing all of the dates.

 

  1. Special events should not interfere with the preparation and service of school lunch, breakfasts, or snacks.

  2. Food and beverages for fundraising activities are only allowed for off campus consumption.

  3. School functions involving the use of the kitchen shall be arranged through the principal and the child nutrition supervisor, and approved through the superintendent.  Whenever the kitchen is used by the school, one or more of the child nutrition employees shall be in charge to ensure control over the child nutrition foods and to ensure proper use and care of equipment and facilities.  A Use of School Facilities form must be completed and sent to the supervisor of child nutrition at least two (2) weeks in advance of the event.  Events that occur at scheduled times during the school year can be handled by sending in one notice listing all of the dates.

  4. On campus bag lunches and off campus field trips must meet the same nutritional requirements as the daily meal pattern.  Request for any type of bag lunch must be submitted at least four (4) weeks prior to the schedule date to plan for menu changes and ordering needs.

 

Any program that rewards students with food may do so after the lunch period is complete.

 

Revised:  October, 1997 Revised:  July 1, 2014
Revised:  August, 2005 Revised:  August 5, 2014
Revised:  September 7, 2010 Revised:  June 5, 2018
Revised:  October 1, 2013 Revised:  August 7, 2018

 

 

Ref:    42 USC 1751 et seq. (School Lunch Programs)

42 USC 1771 et seq. (Child Nutrition)

7 CFR 210 (National School Lunch Program)

7 CFR 220 (School Breakfast Program)

La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:82, 17:191, 17:192, 17:192.1, 17:195, 17:196, 17:197.1, 17:198, 17:199, 39:2101, 40:4

Louisiana Sanitary Code, Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals

Board minutes, 11-1-05, 9-7-10, 10-1-13, 7-1-14, 8-5-14, 6-5-18, 8-7-18

 

Catahoula Parish School Board